Year 4 Changes to Small Blacks 2024-2025

New Zealand Rugby is announcing changes to Year 4 (U9s) Small Blacks Development Model that will be introduced in 2025.

These changes are part of the wider Small Blacks Development Model Review that aim to improve the enjoyment and engagement of our smallest players as they learn to play rugby over their foundation years.

This follows on from the successful introduction of changes at Year 6 (U11s) in 2020 and then rolling changes that were made to Year 1 to Year 3 over the period 2022 to 2024.

“These changes are made to improve the experience of our youngest players and ensure we increase the chances of their retention year or year,” said NZR Head of Participation Development Mike Hester.

“The changes are largely centred around a smaller sided version of the game for longer in these foundation years where kids can get more touches of the ball, more opportunity for tackling and being tackled, and ideally fall in love with the game for life." 

The changes build upon the progression at Year 3 where children are now playing a seven a side version of the game on a quarter field that reduces the impact of the transition from Rippa Rugby to Tackle Rugby.

“These changes has been widely successful with a much smoother transition from Year 2 to Year 3, both for players, coaches and parents as well as increasing our focus on development of safe and effective tackling. These moves are in keeping with modern sports research for children, not just in rugby but in the wider sport sector around junior development," said Hester. 

The changes for Year 4 will look to enhance the experience of children transition from Year 3 with a slightly larger team and increased field size.

The changes will also see the removal of set piece such as scrum and line out with these being deferred to latter years when children can start to safely learn and contest these identities. This will allow coaches to be able to continue their focus on the development of game sense in open play as well as tackle and ball carry techniques which is critical to children’s confidence and enjoyment of the game.

The changes will be incorporated into the Small Blacks Development Model resources and education for the 2025 season.

NZR is committed to improving the quality of the experience and retention of players so further improvements to Year 5 Rugby as well as Year 7-10 are being contemplated for 2026 with further consultation with Provincial Unions and their communities planned in the coming months.